“Erika have maleh eh pal!… everything wrong in Dominica they blaming it on her.”
The Nature Isle’s sharp spike in suicides is disconcerting indeed. Though capital punishment lingers on the books in many nations, actually carrying it out is increasingly rare. Civilized Homo sapiens simply recoil at the very notion of hanging another human being. An offensive reminder of lynching in some regions, the noose symbolizes the degree of desperation that drives one to do that to himself.
Research shows that most people who commit suicide do not really want to die – they just want to stop hurting. Whether triggered by romantic shock, massive failure or intense embarrassment, suicides flourish in a social context of hopelessness. This is especially true when there is little prospect of gainful employment or means to provide for oneself and family. Men, therefore, are more likely to explode or implode in horrific ways. The holiday spirit seems quite out of reach for the troubled individual. How do we confront the issue? How can we can we minimize the risk to our loved ones and ourselves?
When I was no more than around 9 years old, living in the Merry-go-Round (now PSU) area of Roseau, the man caring for our cows committed suicide. He used to bring us a pail of milk every morning. Ma’ & Daddy would neatly funnel it into whiskey bottles. It was the children’s jobs to wash said bottles and deliver the product to our customers. Our milkman was quiet, dependable and well trusted. I noticed he had a double thumbnail, which I had innocently asked him about. Why he made the irredeemable move remains a mystery to me. All I recall is that it had to do with his common law wife – big people business.
Our mother was a Red Cross nurse. At the time, she worked at the St. Luke’s Mental Hospital located in the same compound as Her Majesty’s Prison. Before the advent of funeral homes, burial had to take place within 24 hours. Because of her schedule, Ma’s only chance to see our deceased was in the restricted area: the Dead Room at PMH. Our local pathologist was at the time performing the autopsy, showing off to a Peace Corps biology teacher. I could see him through the doorway after Ma had knocked patiently then opened. He had sawn off the skullcap and was supporting the brain in his gloved hand.
The white woman was oohing and aahing. She had never witnessed such a fresh specimen before. The pathologist was visibly irritated at Ma’s intrusion, despite her fervent explanation.
“Okay, make it quick. But your little boy cannot come in here. He’ll get nightmares.”
“Sam is a brave boy,” were Ma’s immortal words. “And he’s going to be a doctor one day!”
The pathologist must have found this rather laughable. ‘Zafa malaway’ in those days could hardly aspire to such a profession. Nonetheless, he hurried us through. First thing I checked for was that double thumbnail. Yes, it was really him! The other thing that stuck in my mind was the two strings leading from the front the brain to the back the eye sockets. Later, in medical school gross anatomy, I realized those were the optic nerves.
And Ma’ was right. I never had nightmares.
From that time, mental disease never ceased to intrigue me. I am a great fan of Dr. John Royer, Dominica’s first psychiatrist. His book, Black Britain’s Dilemma, holds a place of honour in my office bookshelf. Before leaving to study, I served as president of the Dominica Mental Health Association and got to represent my country at an overseas conference at age 19. So when our current psychiatrist, Dr. Benjamin, passionately campaigns for more attention to mental health, I am lock step with him.
Developed countries like the United States devote about 6 percent of their health care budget to mental health. Barbados spends 7 percent. Dr. Benjamin is quoted as asking, “Why are we spending only 2 percent of our health care budget on mental health when mental health accounts for 24 percent of the of the disease burden of the Americas?” Mental illness indeed factors in much of the crime; under productivity and vagrancy that so plagues our dear land.
This is the message we must invest in getting out to the public: The brain is just another organ. It can malfunction just as any other body part. No one is immune, so it’s time to lose the stigma. Professional help is much more available today. Your job and mine is to recognize the warning signs. Actually getting them to that help is the tricky part.
“How you doing?” is a standard greeting in any language. If truth be told, we generally don’t want to hear details. We’d rather a simple pleasant answer like “Mweh la,” “I there” or “Fine; and you?” But if we notice someone is deeply troubled, instead of gossiping, just be direct. Say something like; “You’re acting a little differently these days. What’s up with that?” “Since when you’re feeling that way?” “Believe it or not, these feelings will pass.” Say anything to stimulate conversation and get them to open up.
We tend to discourage others from dumping all their burdens on us. After all, we have troubles enough of own. But certain things people say should raise concern: “I wish I was never born,” “If you never see me again…” or “I’d be better off dead.” Watch out for clues such as self-hatred, violent and self-destructive behavior including substance abuse and unsafe sexual binges, social withdrawal, verbal wills (if I’m ever gone, I want you to have this) or actually giving away valuables for no good reason.
Middle Eastern fanatics know how to lead people to their god as effectively as Dominican believers know how to lead others to Christ. Now you know how to lead one back from the brink of the abyss. At some point in time, someone within your sphere of influence will need this encouragement: Chabay wed, pa lajay! Get them to hold on just long enough for modern medication and professional counseling to do their magic.
We have the faith to stop the madness. Save one life and boundless gratitude will be yours – a joy unspeakable and full of glory!
Dr. Sam Christian is a syndicated columnist. Click here https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/category/homepage/columns/stay-well-sparkle/ for his previous articles. You may contact him at (767) 440-9133 or through the Urgent Care website urgentcareda.weebly.com
A very timely piece in response to the recent spike in suicides in Dominica. We certainly must advocate for an increase in support of mental health dollars from the government in order to reduce the stigma that is attached to mental health and mental illness.
Education is key, and the State College must institute a mental health counseling program, providing the necessary tools to students who can graduate as professional mental health counselors.
Community education is also important – community outreach, increasing people’s knowledge of good mental health, and the signs of mental illness. Doctors too, must include mental health screenings as part of regular annual check ups to determine if their patients are at risk of mental health issues.
Mental health is everyone’s business. As Dr. Sam Christian pointed out, the brain is an organ. If our toe got infected, we would seek treatment; in similar manner we must encourage the treatment of brain related illnesses.
Middle Eastern fanatics know how to lead people to their God… Haha. That’s funny!
Mental illness is one thing. Depression, yes. Medicine and counseling definitely have their place. But in my experience, the reasons that people kill themselves for reveals they have not practiced patience in their lives. Devotion says wait on the Lord. He will give us a peace that passes all understanding. Even in the worst situations, a good bit of life’s problems solve themselves – by the grace of God.
You’re not a bad person if the thought enters the equation. I have certainly thought about more than once. But like you said Doc, perish the thought! Feelings change. When you reflect, staying alive is the brave and logical decision. Today, I laugh at it all. What a waste it would have been.
good article…nobody commented though typical dominicans .we so negative
Dr Sam this is one of your best articles. The silly comment made by one respondent fails to grasp that the milkman was your family employee, hence the presence of your mother. She was no passerby gawking at a spectacle. On the response to mental illness, seldom have I read a more profound and instructive article on what causes mental illness and how we can help the mentally ill.
Kindly keep teaching our distracted nation on the way we should go. Being learned and compassion driven helps. Thanks for caring Sir.
You are such a caring doctor. Thank you for taking the time to deal with these troubling issues that our country men are facing.
Others, please follow suite.
To Dr Christian..Thanks for addressing this troubling issue.. This matter of increasing suicides and other social and personal dysfunctional ills is very disturbing.. and apparently the personal, economic and social causes that you have enumerated are not likely to be diffused any time soon.. unless we take very aggressive action now
Fantastic article thank you for sharing and caring.
That was an autopsy going on there, doc. Now you know better, you shouldn’t be glorifying your mother, you should be apologizing that she was out of place.
The man checking his vibes and she just butting in! And it seem like you just like her. Apart from that, I finish read the article although I disagree with your approach. Suicide is murder (to oneself). These people are dangerous. They could change the target of their rage.
Such a serious topic to have such a ridiculous way to start talking about it..that’s not funny at all…
Some people just too wicked. A lot of times I think they do that kind of thing as revenge on people they think doh like them.
I feel sorry for people that depressed and not enjoying themselves. But people so vex that they take their own life, why waste pity on them? Don’t they understand the only God give life and only God should take it away. There no chance of forgiveness after a sin like that. That’s what I find sad Dr. Sam. And you should come right out and say that.